Jerry Colangelo, managing director of USA Basketball, admitted that adding Cavaliers big man Kevin Love to the 12-man roster was a mistake, Joe Vardon of The Athletic reports. Speaking to reporters this week, Colangelo was blunt in his assessment of Love, stating that the 2012 gold medalist was not in shape when he showed up to camp. Love eventually withdrew from Team USA before the squad headed to Tokyo.
“I didn’t think Kevin Love was going to play. I wasn’t even sure he had much left to play,” Colangelo said. “He reached out to us and said he was in shape and said he felt he owed us. And on the basis of that, we’re looking at someone with international experience who at one time was a heck of a rebounder and could still shoot the ball. You know, being like a 12th man on a roster. Well, it didn’t work out. He wasn’t in shape. And he was way behind as it turned out. So you move on. Call it a mistake.”
We have more from the basketball world:
- Nets guard Kyrie Irving has fired Roc Nation as his representative, Brian Lewis of the New York Post writes. It’s unclear why Irving, who can opt out of his contract after next season, made the move. He did rip Nike on social media for its shoe design and marketing of the upcoming Kyrie8 brand.
- Just hours after the completion of this year’s draft, Jonathan Givony of ESPN released his 2022 mock draft. Gonzaga big man Chet Holmgren heads the list, followed by Duke’s Paolo Banchero and the G League Ignite’s Jaden Hardy.
- Belgian guard Vrenz Bleijenbergh was a candidate to be a second-round pick, but went undrafted on Thursday. Bleijenbergh explained on Twitter that none of the teams interested in selecting him were willing to offer a guaranteed contract and thus, he couldn’t get out of his European deal. “I had multiple teams offering me two-way deals. But because of my contract in Europe, I wasn’t be able to sign them, it was against the rules,” he wrote. “The only option was a guaranteed contract, I didn’t receive it. It really hurts, I was really close.”
Even though was a mistake, even though he is “washed up”, what an extremely disrespectful thing for Colangelo to do. Even though all this was already known, for him to come out and throw him under a bus is a classless move.
No, a professional has a responsibility to stay in shape, especially when he is getting paid superstar money. Glad to see him called out.
I kinda sort of fell empathy for Love. Sure he has his money and a great career but to end it the way it’s going is sad. I wonder if he showed up out of shape meaning conditioning or unable to play because of lingering injuries like his calf injury that sidelined him most of the season? Still…. his value continues to erode.
A lot about the NBA any more is classless.
He took a lot of heat for adding Love to the roster. If its true that Love told him he was in shape and asked on to the team then he deserves the public outing. A lot of Love’s downfall seems to be of his own doing at this point. Specifically the temper tantrums and unprofessional way he has acted the past couple of years.
I don’t particularly dislike these comments. Yes it’s harsh but that’s the way life goes.
Kevin reached out to Jerry and said he’s ready and he’s fit and that was a lie. Jerry said he was not ready nor fit and that made him look like a fool selecting him. It also meant that Julius Randle didn’t get to go to the Olympics cause this old guy basically lied to steal his spot.
Was always a Kevin fan on the TWolves and then with Bron helping him get a ring. But ever since everyone jumped ship in Cleveland and he hung around I haven’t really liked. I remember last season late in a game he was frustrated and gave the ball away almost on purpose and was complaining to all the young kids and never liked him since. The Cavs are rebuilding and doing a pretty decent job and your the only thing holding them back and your out there running your mouth and disrespecting the team like that.
Cool story. Now tell us why you don’t like spinach.
I am really surprised to see Kyrie having a problem with both his agency and Nike, seems like such a loyal, level headed, go with the flow kind of guy.